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United did it first. Delta followed. And then came JetBlue.
Suddenly, everywhere travelers look, new types of “basic” tickets are popping up. And we’re not just talking about the cheapest, bare-bones fares in coach, which have been around for years.
We’re talking about the growing number of U.S. carriers that now offer “unbundled” tickets even for passengers sitting at the front of the plane.
Booking a United Airlines Polaris suite? The lowest price you see may be a “basic” business fare — and if you buy it, you can’t enter the airline’s swanky Polaris Lounge.
Delta Air Lines has a similar policy for its lowest business fares: No Delta One Lounge access is included.
On both airlines, passengers booking those skinny premium fares can’t pick their seat or make itinerary changes.
JetBlue plans to roll out similarly stripped-down fares when it launches its new domestic first-class cabin later this year.
More choice or higher prices?
Unbundled fares are nothing new.
U.S. airlines have been selling basic economy fares widely for close to a decade.
Historically, these tickets have offered customers a trade-off: Book the lowest price point but stomach some restrictions.
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But lately, that trade-off has even crept to the front of the plane, with new choices like:
- Economy or basic economy?
- Business class or basic business class?
- Premium economy or basic premium economy?
- First class or domestic first class?
Plus, “basic” tickets have even made their way to some carriers’ award bookings.
More options vs. higher fares
Airlines argue these growing fare options offer consumers more options to pick from.
“It’s all about giving people more choice, more pricing options, and more products and services in every cabin,” Delta’s former president, Glen Hauenstein, said of the concept last year.
But industry analysts fear these new “basic” tickets often serve as a quiet price increase.
“It is an indirect fare hike,” Henry Harteveldt, president and founder of Atmosphere Research Group, told TPG. “The customer ends up paying more for the standard business class experience and benefits than they would have before.”
Which airlines sell ‘basic business’ and unbundled premium fares?
Here’s a rundown of which airlines are selling basic fares — and in which cabins.
| Seating product | American Airlines | Delta Air Lines | United Airlines | Southwest Airlines | Alaska Airlines | JetBlue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |
X | √ | X | √ | X | √ | |
X | √ | √ | N/A | X | √ (soon) | |
X | √ | √ | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
X | √ | √ | N/A | X | X |
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Which airline is next?
So far, Delta, United and JetBlue have led the way on rolling “basic” fares beyond coach.
It’s worth watching whether others follow. After all, in the airline industry, carriers often match their rivals’ policies.
Harteveldt argues there’s now an opening for a major airline to curry favor with customers and duck this latest trend — one that, to some consumers, can feel like being nickel-and-dimed when flying on a pricey premium economy or business-class ticket.
“I even wonder if this doesn’t create an opportunity for airlines that aren’t yet selling basic business,” he said, offering up the line airlines could use: “‘We don’t charge you extra to get the things you have always enjoyed.'”
Interestingly, Alaska Airlines said last week that it would skip out on the “basic business” trend — at least for now.
That leaves American Airlines as the biggest holdout, at this point.
Tips for booking in the world of ‘basic’ fares
As basic fares spread to more cabins on the planes, here are a few helpful hints to know as you book.
Know what you’re buying
Look closely at the fine print of your purchase before booking. Whether it’s a seat in the last row of economy or the front row of first class, there’s a chance it could come with a host of pesky restrictions.
Read the fare rules, and keep an eye out for labels like “base” or “basic” — that’s what airlines typically call these unbundled tickets.
Weigh the price and perks
Weigh the price, the perks and what’s important to you.
If simply getting a lie-flat seat for the cheapest price possible is most important to you, basic business might be an acceptable option.
But for other flyers, losing access to key premium benefits — like lounge access — may be a deal-breaker in booking one of these restrictive fares.
Also, be sure your plans are set in stone before locking in one of these fares: You typically can’t make changes to basic fares in any cabin, and the airline may charge a fee if you later have to cancel.
Be especially careful with basic premium economy
Some travelers might be able to stomach basic fares in business class, where they’re guaranteed a lie-flat seat.
But in premium economy, losing seat selection has a real downside: You could get stuck in a middle seat.
Don’t forget about the loyalty tradeoffs
Basic fares typically earn fewer miles and elite credit than standard tickets. That’s an important consideration if you’re chasing status, or if you care about earning miles on your flight.
Plus, some premium basic tickets bar you from other loyalty perks, like upgrades, even if you’re flying up front.
For instance, travelers who book United’s “Polaris Base” fare on its most premium planes aren’t eligible to upgrade into the carrier’s luxe Polaris Studio suites.
Think twice about booking a basic economy award
Three of the six largest U.S. airlines will now “sell” you basic economy tickets even when you’re booking with miles: Delta, Southwest and JetBlue.
Tread carefully: Those fares come with the same restrictions as basic fares booked with cash.
No U.S. airline currently offers basic awards in their premium cabins.
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